Russia suspends U.S. meat imports

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Russian government on Monday moved to suspend all imports of U.S. meat.
The United States responded immediately, calling Russia’s action unjustified. “Russia has disregarded the extensive and expert scientific studies conducted by the international food safety standards body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which has repeatedly concluded that animal feed containing the additive ractopamine is completely safe for livestock and for humans that consume their meat,” said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a joint statement.
The additive, currently used in animal feed in 27 countries, has been declared safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and United Nation's Codex Alimentarius Commission.
“Despite repeated U.S. requests to discuss the safety of ractopamine, Russia has refused to engage in any constructive dialogue and instead has simply suspended U.S. meat imports. The United States calls on Russia to restore market access for U.S. meat and meat products immediately and to abide by its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization," Kirk and Vilsack said.
Under its new "zero tolerance" policy for ractopamine, Russia has effectively blocked all imports of U.S. beef, pork, turkey and other meat products.